Ratana pa is a town between Marton and Whanganui, which developed around the Ratana church there. It is a site of pilgrimage for the Maori followers of the Ratana faith. The Ratana movement is a religion and pan-iwi political movement founded by Tahu patiki Wiremu Ratana in early 20th-century New Zealand. Te Haahi Ratana has its headquarters at the settlement of Ratana pa near Turakina www.theratanachurch.org.nz/history. Due to the importance of the Ratana movement in New Zealand politics, leading New Zealand politicians often attend annual gatherings at Ratana pa.